Budget 2026 Live Updates: 2 days to go to Finance Minister Speech; Survey projects growth at 6.8-7.2%

Budget 2026 Live Updates: India is counting down to the Union Budget 2026, scheduled to be presented on Sunday, February 1, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to deliver her record ninth consecutive Budget amid heightened global uncertainty and fragile trade conditions.

In this live blog, we bring you rolling updates, expectations, expert commentary and key policy signals in the run-up to Budget Day.

The stage has been set by the Economic Survey 2026, which projects India’s economy to grow between 6.8% and 7.2% in FY27, with potential growth estimated at around 7%.

Striking a cautiously optimistic tone, the Survey described India as “an oasis of macro stability in a turbulent world,” pointing to strong domestic demand, moderate inflation and robust macro buffers even as geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation intensify.

Markets will remain open on Budget Day, with both NSE and BSE operating regular trading hours. This year, participants head into the Budget with muted expectations, largely centred on possible relief in long-term capital gains, while urging the government to refrain from hiking transaction taxes.

As Sitharaman prepares for table Budget 2026, investors and industry will closely track sectoral allocations for FY27, income tax policy, and measures aimed at boosting export competitiveness and foreign trade diversification.